Exercise Sweetbriar and A.P.O. 949

The Only Post-World War II
United States Army Post Office in the Yukon

This page has been built from a Powerpoint created for a Northern Canada Study Group Presentation at BNAPEX 2005 (British North America Philatelic Society) in Edmonton, AB, by Kevin O'Reilly of Yellowknife, NT. It is presented here with permission.

Introduction

The Alaska Highway was built during World War II by US military forces and civilian contractors. During that period, several US A.P.O.s (Army Post Offices) operated in the Yukon Territory, including:

475 Watson Lake

702 and 702-1 Whitehorse

918 Watson Lake and Brooks Brook

931 Kluane Lake

933 Squanga Lake and Carcross

934 Whitehorse and Destruction Bay

996 Watson Lake

Background on Exercise Sweetbriar

concern with threat from Soviet Union during Cold War.

winter exercises in 1948 did not proceed due to Berlin Airlift.

planning for new military exercise in the North began in November 1948, known as NORTH STAR, then CROSSINDEX, and finally SWEETBRIAR.

involved 5265 personnel from US 5th Army, Alaskan Command, US Air Force, Canadian Army and RCAF.

"Aggressor" force captured Fairbanks and preparing to move south along Alaska Highway, "Allied" forces to intercept and retake Northway Airport.

US troops mainly from Camp Carson, Colorado, Canadian troops from Wainwright, Alberta.

August 1949 advance Service Support Unit established permanent headquarters at Camp McCrae, 8 miles south of Whitehorse at an old highway camp.

Exercise took place from February 13-23, 1950.

Evacuation of troops occurred in March 1950.

Camp McCrae closed on March 24, 1950.

Map of Camp McCrae (APO 949 likely at HQ SSU)

Prior to and after Exercise, and for those at points distant from Camp McCrae, use of the Canadian postal service was authorized, as seen with the envelope below. The letter that was in that envelope is also shown below.

A.P.O. 949 and Postal Service

Army Post Office 949 operated as a branch of the Seattle Post Office from October 25, 1949 to March 8, 1950.